Customer Reviews

Macross Plus - The Collection (Two-Disc Set)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I nearly crapped myself when I opened the first disc and saw that it said "MOVIE EDITION". I quickly opened the second case and on that disc it said "Macross Plus: Volume 2 (Parts 3+4). I was like "WTF Mate". So I inserted the 1st disc thinking it was the movie and they got some weird packaging problem that sent me the movie edition instead of volume 1. But to my delight, the "Movie Edition" is indeed Volume 1. (In case you're wondering, there are two versions of this series; a single disc "Movie Edition" that is a full length feature film and a two disc 4 episode (45 min each) set. Each has there good qualities but are different in minor ways. The story is much more complete in the two disc set but some people have complained that it drags a little. Also the story has a different ending. I like both and recommend either.)

The extras were kind of lacking for a 10th anniversary disc (Is it just me or is Manga going WAAAAAYYYYY downhill in quality just slapping things together with no regard for what fans want and love) and the menu was rather plain.

But despite some obvious lack of attention to details and minimal extras for a 10th anniversary disc, this set and the episodes in general rock! If you haven't seen this before it's definately a keeper and the price of this Two-Disc set is ripe for the picking. The sound and visual quality are outstanding, the dubbing is amazing, and although the animation is getting a little dated it's still way above par. The music alone is worth watching it. If you're an Anime fan than you're probably familiar with Yoko Kanno's work. (Cowboy Beebop, Ghost in the Shell:SAC, Wolf's Rain, Escaflowne, and the list goes on) But of all Anime's I've seen, I have never been moved by a score like I was moved with this one. I have no doubt that if you watch this that you will be amazed.

The best Macross since the original. Kawamori can do no wrong(*cough*Arjuna*hack*). This is probably the best non-epic story he's ever told. And the animation is some of the best, if not the best, I've seen outside of a feature film(even after 11 years). What I can't understand is why Manga Video has not added anything to the DVD for this great anime, yet this is the "10th Anniversary Edition". The original Ghost in the Shell release by Manga Video had few extras and no 5.1 surround track in Japanese. Their new GitS 10th aniversary release had many more extras and a great new 5.1 surround track in japanese. Why hasn't Macross Plus seen this kind of treatment? Apparently they just threw both volumes of the OVA into a box, cut a few bucks off the original price and called it a special anniverary edition. I already own the original DVD releases of this show and would have eagerly forked over another $40 to get them in full japanese language surround. C'Mon Manga Video, you've had 10 years to improve the DVD's for this show. What's the deal?

I post this quick review in the absense of any others. Macross Plus certainly deserves more, but for what its worth let me say this is one the the very best animations I've ever come across (and I am a collector). Its unstopable, in terms of animation, character that develope, plot, music (yokko kano), everything. Treat yourself to this collection, its a bit better than the movie edition, fleshing the sequel to the original Macross' story out across a four episode epic. Two rival pilots, two experimental next gen VF jets, one lost love, and an out of control virtual AI Diva that takes control of the Macross.

I purchased this originally on VHS when Manga released it on 4 VHS tapes 1995-1996. This DVD provides nothing new. There is no commentary or behind-the-scenes featurette. The old 'next episode' previews and previews of 'coming soon' releases (from 1996 - many of the previewed titles have been out for a decade) are the special features. These can be found on the old VHS tapes too.

The real advantages to buying this DVD collection are the lower cost and that you get both the sub and the dub.

The lack of special features is more than made up for by the 4-part OVA. This is a side story. The original Macross was the story of how humanity survived an encounter with highly advanced giant soldiers. This story is set decades after Macross. It's about a design competition between two companies to build the next Valkyrie (a jet that transforms into a giant robot). The two opposing test pilots have a shared past - and an intense rivalry.


The mecha fight scenes are very fast, highly detailed, and even somewhat realistic (for a sci-fi show about transforming airplanes made with alien technology that borders on high fantasy). The characters have quite a bit of depth. They aren't relatively innocent kids taking the final step into adulthood, as in the Macross TV series. These characters are definitely adults with quite a bit of emotional baggage.

The tension is quite high - I still remember the very sharp cliff-hangers at then end of each part. In the VHS days, you had to wait 4 or 5 months for the next volume to be released. grrr

The music is excellent. These aren't songs and instrumental tracks you listen to without the movie. The music really supports the movie. It supports, and sometimes creates the emotional tone for the scene. There are also very unique - and odd sound choices.


The cover bills it as 'the top-gun of anime'. As cheesy as it sounds, they're right. I'd even recommend this to people who don't normally watch anime.

An experience of sight and sound of tremendous caliber, Macross Plus comes highly recommended for fans of animation paired with an awe inspiring musical score.

Each Disk contains 2 Episodes of this series which seems odd considering the fact that it would be more efficent to have all 4 parts on one disk and shift the special features onto the bonus disk. Wish it was in widescreen but the transfers are very good as is.

the good
visuals are very well done for it time. I can tell is was traditionally animated because how colors looks. The line art is very well done.
The action scenes are exiting

the bad
Macross plus has love triangle in it that not so clear. I just realize it had one after watching. It spends too much time on characters. episode 2 feel like it was dragging it feet. Lot stuff that was happen front and center should been in back ground. The I.A. should have gone rouge in episode 2 leave the rest of mini series action packed how ever it does go rouge until end of episode 3 when the mini series is 69 percent over.

fan service
Sharon Apple the A.I. appears a few times in low detail nudity. The reason that write this because in the ratings it does not say what it rated for. on youtube it just says it is rated tv-14.

This is one of my favorite Animes of all time. The ova is a little better but you lose nothing with this one. The story is about two ace pilots competing for a defense contract. There is a love interest and a good amount of flight time. All in all its allot like Top Gun done in Anime and the animation surely has stood the test of time.

Just like the box says "Shoji Kawamori's Epic Series"

Macross Pluss was the most expensive anime of its time(due to the very much unneeded CG) but with that you can expect GREAT visuals & an awesome soundtrack. The show only contains 4 episodes but the story starts and ends nicely, and manages to develop the characters in that short amount of time.

Awesome Anime. Perfect condition, very fast shipping. I recommened to Anime lovers lol no seriously I really enjoed the Anime. So you who enjoy watching anime please check this one out.